We are launching a new series, Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations, to highlight approaches, technologies, and ideas that have the potential to radically advance sustainable and nutritious food security globally. The Global Food for Thought News Brief and blog will regularly feature the latest news and events regarding these big ideas and emerging innovations. Contact us to share your thoughts and ideas for this series.
REUTERS/Jim Young
How Cows Are Becoming Smart Connected Products
A Texas-based startup wants to bring universal connectivity to cows by feeding them electronic pills that will sit in their stomachs and transmit their vital signs to farmers, heading off costly livestock illnesses or death. Electronically checking cattle’s vitals could cut down on what the USDA estimates is nearly $2.4 billion a year in losses from animal illnesses that lead to death.
The ‘Super’ Banana that Fights for Truth, Justice and Healthy Levels of Vitamin A
Each year, vitamin A deficiency inflicts between 250,000 and 500,000 young people with early-life blindness, and in half of those cases, it also brings death. Scientists are now genetically engineering “super” bananas that are fortified with alpha- and beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. The project is backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Young Foresters Help Improve Forests' Food Access, Economic Influence
Patches of trees outside of forests, even in urban areas, can be important ecosystems, providing many of the same resources and opportunities as large forested areas, especially in terms of food sources. Young foresters, especially in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, are taking the lead in studying how these patches can improve food and nutrition in communities.
Global Land Prices and the Future of Farming
We already produce enough food to feed 9 billion people, but an estimated 40 per cent of it is lost in the production chain. Clearly, there is room for efficiency. And that has less to do with land purchasing and more with investments in farming like sustainable irrigation systems and the adoption of military-led technology in drone surveillance and remote soil monitoring.
Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations
About
The Global Food and Agriculture Program aims to inform the development of US policy on global agricultural development and food security by raising awareness and providing resources, information, and policy analysis to the US Administration, Congress, and interested experts and organizations.
The Global Food and Agriculture Program is housed within the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, an independent, nonpartisan organization that provides insight – and influences the public discourse – on critical global issues. The Council on Global Affairs convenes leading global voices and conducts independent research to bring clarity and offer solutions to challenges and opportunities across the globe. The Council is committed to engaging the public and raising global awareness of issues that transcend borders and transform how people, business, and governments engage the world.
Support for the Global Food and Agriculture Program is generously provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Blogroll
1,000 Days Blog, 1,000 Days
Africa Can End Poverty, World Bank
Agrilinks Blog
Bread Blog, Bread for the World
Can We Feed the World Blog, Agriculture for Impact
Concern Blogs, Concern Worldwide
Institute Insights, Bread for the World Institute
End Poverty in South Asia, World Bank
Global Development Blog, Center for Global Development
The Global Food Banking Network
Harvest 2050, Global Harvest Initiative
The Hunger and Undernutrition Blog, Humanitas Global Development
International Food Policy Research Institute News, IFPRI
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center Blog, CIMMYT
ONE Blog, ONE Campaign
One Acre Fund Blog, One Acre Fund
Overseas Development Institute Blog, Overseas Development Institute
Oxfam America Blog, Oxfam America
Preventing Postharvest Loss, ADM Institute
Sense & Sustainability Blog, Sense & Sustainability
WFP USA Blog, World Food Program USA
Archive
Guest Commentary – Designing Common Ground: Progressive Partnerships that Connect Smallholder Farmers
Matt Shakhovskoy of the Initiative for Smallholder Finance on developing progressive partnerships to address global food insecurity.
Guest Commentary – How Clocks Helped Grow Half a Million Tons of Food
Emily Hillenbrand of CARE USA on effective programming to divide household burdens equally among genders and increase female agricultural productivity.
Guest Commentary – Multisectoral Partnerships Created to Respond to Global Food and Nutrition Security Challenge
As part of our Food-Secure Future series, the ACRE Africa team discusses partnerships that are helping to secure progress in global agricultural development.
A Food-Secure Future: G7 and G20 Action on Agriculture and Food
The latest post in our Food-Secure Future series highlights the role of the G7 and the G20 in promoting global food security and agricultural development.
Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations
Highlighting approaches, technologies, and ideas that have the potential to radically advance global food security.
Guest Commentary – Elevating the Smallholder Voice and Making Aid more Accountable for Improved Food and Nutrition Security
Anne Wanlund of Gardens for Health International on accountability and transparency in smallholder agriculture.
Guest Commentary – 3 Things You Should Know about Malnutrition in Mozambique
Beatrice Montesi on her observations of the malnutrition situation in Mozambique.
Guest Commentary – Agricultural Production Should Focus on Food Quality and Nutrition alongside Quantity and Yield
His Excellency John A. Kufuor on refocusing the food system on diet quality and nutrition.
Guest Commentary – Holding World Leaders to Account to End Malnutrition
Lucy Sullivan of 1,000 Days on the need for greater accountability in global nutrition efforts.
Guest Commentary – Private Sector Intervention in Global Food Security
Alaa Murabit on the role of private sector and government in achieving global food security.
A Food-Secure Future: African Accountability to Food Security and Agricultural Development
The latest post in our Food-Secure Future series discusses the structures that are encouraging increased accountability to food security and agricultural development across the African continent.
She Succeeds, We Succeed: Breaking Down the Legal Barriers to Girls’ and Women’s Empowerment
Ahead of International Women's Day, the She Succeeds blog series explores how to break down the legal barriers to girls' and women's empowerment, from lack of legal ID to land tenure and ending child marriage.
Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations
Highlighting approaches, technologies, and ideas that have the potential to radically advance global food security.
Guest Commentary – In Africa, Expecting More from Agriculture than Food Security
As part of our Food-Secure Future series, Agnes Kalibata of AGRA discusses economic opportunity is the driver of agricultural development.
Guest Commentary – The Agribusiness Case for Climate Leadership
As part of our Food-Secure Future series, Dr. Margaret Zeigler of Global Harvest Initiative discusses ways in which agribusinesses can engage in sustainable practices.